Christine Innes is giving Olivia Chow "a run for her money"

Olivia Chow, the NDP incumbent for Trinity-Spadina seems to be intimidated by the Liberal challenger Christine Innes. Chow is federal NDP leader Jack Layton’s wife. Christine, a lawyer and community activist, easily won the all-candidates debate, that was held on October 6, 2008 in Trinity-Spadina.

As one blogger noted, Olivia seems “terrified” about Liberal challenger Christine Innes. I happen to agree with him. During the debate, Olivia realised that Innes is a “serious contender”. Innes is literally giving Chow “a run for her money”. Don’t get me wrong, Olivia has done a lot of things for this riding at the municipal level, but since she has gone to Ottawa, she seems disconnected to the folks in the riding. Olivia has also cancelled debates at the last minute. This did not sit very well with the other candidates including Stephen LaFrenie of the Green Party and Christine McGirr of the Conservatives. The audience at the debate on October 6th , also voiced their disapproval loudly.

The Trinity-Spadina riding is rapidly changing with expensive condos going up all over the neighbourhood. The newer residents are empty nesters and the more economically well-off. This is having an impact on the bohemian mindset of the neighbourhood since this riding is becoming more up-scale. Change is happening. Mind you, it is still the home for many artists and students, including those from University of Toronto. Olivia and Jack support the arts community and they get a lot of help and support from this community and also from many young students.

Now about the vandalism happening in Trinity-Spadina. It is unacceptable that these incidents are happening. I do hope that cool heads prevail before any harm is done to anyone.